03/02 A word for Ukraine’s Supporters

For three years, President Zelensky has been compared to Winston Churchill in terms of his fortitude and oratorical brilliance. No doubt, Zelensky’s words and bravery won many supporters to Ukraine’s side.

With the war grinding on for 3 years and the deepening frustrations over the American-Ukraine relationship. President Biden slow-walked aid to Ukraine for months after the supplemental was passed as well as limiting Ukraine’ ability to strike Russia as needed.

This came to a head in the meeting in the White House between President Trump and President Zelensky. President Zelensky clearly showed his impatience with the lack of security guarantees for Ukraine.

While the tone of his discussion may have left much, the strength of his statement in reminiscent of another great statesmen who President Zelensky should emulate.

Menachem Begin was a son of the Holocaust and an experience underground fighter under the British Mandate. He emerged as Israel’s Prime Minister in the 1970’s and struck a new, aggressive Israel stance in terms of national security. The US also accused Israel of not wanting peace and instead focusing on its security.

Ironically, it was none other than Joe Biden in 1982 in his role on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who threatened to cut off aid to Israel. Begin forcefully responded,

“Don’t threaten us with cutting off your aid. It will not work. I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens.

Nobody came to our aid when we were building our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And, when necessary, we will die for them again, with or without your aid.”

Apparently, Sen Biden banged his fist on the table and Begin calmly retorted:

”This desk is designed for writing, not for fists. Don’t threaten us with slashing aid. Do you think that because the US lends us money it is entitled to impose on us what we must do? We are greateful for the assistance, but we are not to be threatened. I am a proud Jew. Three thousands years of culture are behind me and you will not frighten me with threats. Take note: we do not want a single soldier of yours to die for us.”

American and Ukraine are allies. Their interests overlap but are not identical. In all relations there are ups and downs. Perhaps, it would have been better if the disagreement was done behind closed doors.

President Trump is focused on an economic deal. Let’s hope it is signed soon.

President Zelensky is focused on Ukraine’s survival and the continued bombing of civilians.